There is no better way of celebrating this time of the year than by being a cinephile. The shorter days along with longer nights in the city call for celebrating festive holidays, sipping on warm drinks, as well as walking in cold crunchy snow —and they also call for a showtime special.  ‘Tis the season of comfort and of motion pictures to be screened while content of comfort is craved. 

Throughout this list, find a what-to-watch guide at this time of year with features that are set in this time of year alongside review (or moreso rambles) that mix praise, criticism, and personal commentary. Without further ado; a film bro (woman), a movie critic (avid Letterboxd user), and a cinema student (undergraduate with a minor) presents: Wintertime Watches. Spend those snowy off-screen memories watching these snowy on-screen moments.

1. SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (2010) Dir. Edgar Wright

“This sucks! I’m gonna go pee due to boredom.” 

This postmodern text is a tribute to the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley, to ‘the mysterious land… of Toronto, Canada’, and most importantly to the one and only Michael Cera. The opening sequence introduces the Universal logo in the form of an 8-bit graphic with sound effects, then segues into the credits and title full of loud visuals and by extension loud volume. A combination of comic book, video game, and motion picture intertwine to present the main characters, such as an unemployed bassist and a league of evil exes such as a devoted vegan. Other compelling characters range from an evil Brie Larson to a recurring Aubrey Plaza 0r a skating Chris Evans. The 2010 creation is not free from flaws such as its overlooked racism or a tired manic pixie dream girl trope, but the creation does a good job at what it tries to be — a cult classic transmedia aesthetic.

2. LITTLE WOMEN (2019) Dir. Greta Gerwig

“Talent isn’t genius and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great or nothing.” 

View Little Women to follow along the lives of the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — and join in on their journeys from childhood to womanhood in a charming adaptation of the critically acclaimed tale. If you choose to not view the Academy Awards nominated flick and choose to find a synopsis instead, know that I am always ready to womansplain this stunning Louisa May Alcott story then recite its significant Greta Gerwig screenplay. Due to its impactful lines with a prime example being “I care more to be loved. I want to be loved […] Women, they have minds, and they have souls […] I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for – but I’m so lonely!”; its passionate cast including Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep; or its overall approach engaging in talent whether it be the score or costumes, Little Women is bound to have ​​immense impact on its audience. The film had an impact on me to the extent I compiled a Spotify playlist dedicated to one character that reached over 230 people.

3.  INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (2013) Dir. Coen Brothers

“I’m tired. I thought I just needed a night’s sleep, but it’s more than that.” 

After much consideration as an indecisive cinephile, I identify my favourite film since my first screening of it earlier last year to be Inside Llewyn Davis. I was planning to gatekeep this arguably underrated tragicomedy, but considering I got a tattoo in reference to it and bought a guitar to play folk with inspiration from it, I must recommend the black comedy musical drama that changed my life and that features the incredible Oscar Isaac. The plot beautifully conveys, the actors talentedly portray, and the story dramatically or musically communicates an incredible narrative of a bad person that goes through a bad life.  The main character is not a great person who relies on friends and strangers throughout his challenges, and this leads to a theme that creative success is constant struggle. Inevitably, spectators will carry an empty heart and wry smile, just  like the protagonist. Breathtaking shots with mesmerising colours coexist to capture coldness making me understand the main message — to find purpose in life rather than perfection — through a main character making me feel understood — a distant and egotistic artist. Oh, and did I mention Oscar Isaac?

4. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004) Dir. Michel Gondry

“I’ll get bored with you and feel trapped, because that’s what happens with me.”

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a romance, sci-fi, comedy, and drama — it is unforgettable. After a painful relationship, Clementine undergoes a permanent procedure to erase memories of Joel, who then medically erases memories of the couple forever too. Psychological meets magical while fantasy meets reality in this poetic, yet strange fiction.

5. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (2018) Dir. Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, Rodney Rothman

“It’s a leap of faith. That’s all it is.” 

Do you have a comfort film that you can watch on repeat, but never get tired of? For me, Into the Spider-Verse, the first film with an Afro-Latino superhero, is the epitome of a comfort film. I have watched this brilliant blend of 2D and 3D animation styles a concerning amount of times (no I will not admit how many (yes it is more than 10)). However, I am enthralled by the computer-animated superhero film each time I see it, as if it is the first time I come across it. Striking cartoon and comic book textures combine with a captivating soundtrack and screenplay achieving the greatest fan-favourite Spider-Man movie and announcing the greatest fan-favourite Spider-Man, Miles Morales (it is me, I am the fan).

6. THE GREEN KNIGHT (2021) Dir. David Lowery

“I fear I am not meant for greatness.” 

In this visionary A24 adaptation of a timeless Arthurian legend poem, Dev Patel plays Sir Gawain, who encounters an epic medieval fantasy adventure. Garwain goes on a quest to seek the Green Knight and enters a deeper journey beyond ghosts and giants. There arises a journey of multiple interpretations: reflection on the war between civilization and nature; consideration of worth in the eyes of family; examination of honour and the honesty that comes with it. The sole thought I was sure of after my Cineplex journey watching The Green Knight was leaving the theatre and feeling as if the film was a fever dream… in a good way.

Honourable mentions: The Shining, Snowpiercer, Winter in the Blood, Home Alone, The Polar Express, Iron Man 3